PRR Project

Summary

NOVA School of Social Sciences and Humanities seeks to expand its academic staff by appointing an Assistant Researcher in Ethnomusicology, with particular expertise on music and politics. The selected candidate will develop her/his research as an active member of INET-md and will contribute to the development of NOVA FCSH strategic line on Arts and Humanities. The successful applicant will have the following key responsibilities:1.    Conduct independent research on topics related with music and politics, and particularly on the role of music, sound and dance, both in strategies of symbolic representation and reinforcement of power, and in strategies of opposition and resistance. 2.    Generate and disseminate high-quality research findings, including (but not exclusively) in international, peer-reviewed journals. 3.    Contribute to the design and implementation of INET-md research strategy, as well as NOVA FCSH strategic area of Arts and Humanities. 4.    Design and submit applications for competitive research funding. 5.    Actively develop efforts to establish meaningful collaborative work with academic and non-academic institutions, setting the ground for future partnerships and social engagement. 6.    Develop and teach courses, in her/his field of expertise, thus actively contributing to the renewal and ongoing improvement of curricula and educational practices at all levels. 7.    Supervise post-graduate students, by providing mentoring and advice.The successful applicant should have the following scientific profile: 1.    PhD degree in Ethnomusicology or a closely related discipline. 2.    Specific expertise on music and politics, and particularly on the role of music, sound and dance, both in strategies of symbolic representation and reinforcement of power, and in strategies of opposition and resistance. 3.    Research qualities demonstrated through an established track record of relevant publications, including peer-reviewed, international journals, books and other relevant outlets. 4.    Proven experience, as team member, in interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary teams. 5.    Active member of relevant networks (academic and non-academic) in the research topics covered. 6.    Strong focus on societal engagement and knowledge exchange with relevant stakeholders and society in general. 7.    Experience in teaching and supervision, at Master and PhD level in particular, and evidence of strong commitment to innovative pedagogical approaches, from a research-led teaching approach.Rationale:The recruitment of an Assistant Researcher in Ethnomusicology, with particular expertise on music and politics, is scientifically relevant for both the INET-md and NOVA FCSH. INET-md is currently organizing a new Thematic Strand on “Power, Politics and Activism”, combining researchers and projects from different Research Groups of the Unit (namely “Ethnomusicology and Popular Music Studies”, “Historical and Cultural Studies in Music”, “Dance Studies”, and “Education, Music and Theatre in the Community”). The main goal of this Thematic Strand is to study the role of music and dance in mobilizing individuals and communities, in representing social and political structures, but also in changing and transforming them. This research profile will play a key role in setting up this Thematic Strand. The successful applicant will develop her/his research in the context of the “Ethnomusicology and Popular Music Studies” Research Group and, through the methods of ethnomusicology, anthropology and sociology of music, will contribute to the understanding of the role of music, sound and dance, both in strategies of symbolic representation and reinforcement of power, and in strategies of opposition and resistance. On the other hand, this line of research can be productively articulated with the curricular offer of NOVA FCSH, mainly on the graduate and doctoral level, increasing the presence of research-led teaching on Ethnomusicology in NOVA FCSH Department of Musical Sciences. Recruiting an Assistant Researcher in this field would allow to (1) strengthen the “Ethnomusicology and Popular Music Studies” Research Group at INET-md, by adding complementary expertise to the current group and enhance the research outputs, (2) support the INET-md in achieving international recognition in this field and establishing it further as a reference both at the national and international level; and (3) contribute to teaching and mentoring at the post-graduate level in NOVA FCSH Department of Musical Sciences, thus shaping a new generation of young researchers at INET-md.  This position is also crucial to further develop NOVA FCSH ‘Arts and Humanities’ strategic line, one of the five strategic areas that will support the NOVA FCSH educational and research mission until 2030.